JOIN USHeavy rain lashed Mumbai on Wednesday causing landslide in the eastern sea-side Antop Hill, killing one person on the spot. Rescue teams fear at least three to five people may still be buried under debris.
Regional weather bureau issued an alert to travellers and locals along Gujarat- Maharashtra-Goa route, stating that the area will experience strong winds up to 60 km per hour.
The weather bureau has also asked fishermen along the western coast not to venture into the sea at least for the next 24 hours and advised motorists to take the Konkan-Goa route only if necessary, as the belt will receive 'heavy to very heavy rainfall during the next 72 hours.'
Fire brigade at the Antop Hill said at least 11 people were rescued until late evening. However, the precise number of people affected by the landslide remains unknown as no records of people residing in the slum below the hillock exists.
Till late evening, both fire brigade and National Disaster Response Team (NDRF) were clearing the debris with the help of diggers as bulldozers were stuck in the marshy-land of Antop Hill which sees such incidents every monsoon.
The mudslide was possibly caused by the heavy rain that had been battering Mumbai since Tuesday night. Weather stations in Santa Cruz and Colaba recorded 95 mm and 96 mm rainfall respectively in the last 24 hours.
Meanwhile, weather bureau has forecast heavy rain in the drought-hit Marathwada region, while the dry Vidarbha region will also receive rain and thundershower. Locals from the tribal belt of Gadchiroli said that the rainfall has been adequate and without dry-spells.